Obituary of Andrew G. Millsap

Millsap, Andrew Gerald (Andy), of Saginaw, passed away unexpectedly on September 30, 2014 at age 49. The cherished son of the late Rexell B. and Jacquelyn (Koonmen) Millsap, Andy was born on the evening of May 14, 1965 in Saginaw, changing his parents' intentions to attend an annual barbeque. Andy enjoyed nature and as a child loved playing in the woods surrounding his home, catching garter snakes and toads. He inherited his lifelong love of fishing from his grandfather Ed Koonmen and spent part of his summers at his Grandfather's cabin on Lake Kabenung in Northern Ontario. Through Andy's imagination and artistic ability he won several art and writing awards. He couldn't wait to open his presents, unwrapping and rewrapping them before Christmas morning. His love for chess, Risk, video games and puzzles began as a child, being the first in his family to solve Rubik's cube. Andy loved animals and birds and as a teen he adopted an African Grey and a Yellow-collared Macaw, Cannum and Prado. Andy graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw in 1984 and attended Delta College where he excelled in math and science. In January 1997, Andy began an apprenticeship with UA Local 85 Plumbers, Steamfitters & HVACR Service Techs. He completed the five-year program in February 2002, graduating as a Journeyman Steamfitter, specializing in Medical Gas Systems. Andy would work for mechanical contracting companies, including John E. Green Company. Andy designed and built his own computers, he was an inventor at heart, always tinkering with something. Andy had a talent for figuring out systems and improving upon them. He enjoyed studying world history and loved music, especially Rush and Led Zeppelin. Andy loved the Detroit Tigers, Star Trek, Reese's Peanutbutter Cups, Game of Thrones, Thanksgiving dinners, laughter, story telling and politics. Andy always held his family and friends close to his heart. Andy will be dearly missed by his siblings: Debbie A. Millsap, Greenbush, Cheryl M. Millsap, Beaverton and Scott A. (Becky) Millsap, Grand Blanc, his stepmother Elaine M. Millsap, Saginaw and his treasured friends: Jerry Rachel, Hemlock, Christopher Steele, Saginaw, David Reed, Saginaw and Karen Bradley, Freeland. He is also survived by his niece and nephew, Jenna M. and Dustin M. Millsap, his uncles and aunts Edward A. and Joan Koonmen, Sparta, WI, Gerald W. (Cathy) Millsap, Lake Geneva, WI and Marshall C. Arne, Rockford, IL, step brother William H. (Marla) Troutman, Norfolk, VA. Andy will be remembered for his loving, sweet heart, brilliant mind, wit, imagination, creativity, his shyness, stubbornness, generous nature and the bright, laughing twinkles in his brown eyes when he was telling a story. Many will remember Andy as their knight in shining armor, if they needed help at 3am they called Andy. Visitation with the family will be at 11:30am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:30pm on Friday, October 24, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Rd., Saginaw, MI. Burial will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery, Saginaw, MI. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com. Andy's interest in the solar system began with his Grandfather's telescope and for those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center, where a star in the lobby will be engraved with Andy's name. Memorial contributions may be made payable to: Delta College Foundation, 1961 Delta Rd., University Center, MI 48710, include Planetarium, Andrew Millsap on the memo line or online at https://donate.delta.edu/, please choose Other for Designation and in the box beneath, include Planetarium, Andrew Millsap.